Be Merciful to Me, O God (1 Samuel 21:8–15)
1 DRA Unto the end, for a people that is removed at a distance from the sanctuary for David, for an inscription of a title (or pillar) when the Philistines held him in Geth. BSB BSB: For the choirmaster. To the tune of “A Dove on Distant Oaks.” A Miktam of David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath. Be merciful to me, O God, for men are hounding me; all day they press their attack.
2 DRA Have mercy on me, O God, for man hath trodden me under foot; all the day long he hath afflicted me fighting against me. My enemies have trodden on me all the day long; for they are many that make war against me. BSB BSB: My enemies pursue me all day long, for many proudly assail me.
3 DRA From the height of the day I shall fear: but I will trust in thee. BSB BSB: When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.
4 DRA In God I will praise my words, in God I have put my trust: I will not fear what flesh can do against me. BSB BSB: In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
5 DRA All the day long they detested my words: all their thoughts were against me unto evil. BSB BSB: All day long they twist my words; all their thoughts are on my demise.
6 DRA They will dwell and hide themselves: they will watch my heel. As they have waited for my soul, BSB BSB: They conspire, they lurk, they watch my steps while they wait to take my life.
7 DRA For nothing shalt thou save them: in thy anger thou shalt break the people in pieces, O God, BSB BSB: In spite of such sin, will they escape? In Your anger, O God, cast down the nations.
8 DRA I have declared to thee my life: thou hast set my tears in thy sight, As also in thy promise. BSB BSB: You have taken account of my wanderings. Put my tears in Your bottle—are they not in Your book?
9 DRA Then shall my enemies be turned back. In what day soever I shall call upon thee, behold I know thou art my God. BSB BSB: Then my enemies will retreat on the day I cry for help. By this I will know that God is on my side.
10 DRA In God will I praise the word, in the Lord will I praise his speech. In God have I hoped, I will not fear what man can do to me. BSB BSB: In God, whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise,
12 DRA In me, O God, are vows to thee, which I will pay, praises to thee: BSB BSB: Your vows are upon me, O God; I will render thank offerings to You.
13 DRA Because thou hast delivered my soul from death, my feet from falling: that I may please in the sight of God, in the light of the living. BSB BSB: For You have delivered my soul from death, and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.